ARDSLEY, N.Y. -- Village of Ardsley offcials reported Wednesday, April 16 that the village office had received two reports of black bear sightings in the past 24 hours.

The first was a report by a Department of Public Works worker of a black bear feeding out of an open dumpster at the construction site of the former Water Wheel restaurant on Saw mill River Road (Route 9A), according to a notice by the village.

The second was a report by a resident on Concord Road. There have been no further reports.

According to Ardsley Police Chief Emil Califano, black bears tend to wander many miles in a single day, and it is very possible Tuesday's visitor is very far from the village by now.

Village officials advised residents to never approach or surround a bear because they may become aggressive when they feel threatened. It is suggested to use noise -- yell, clap, or bang pots -- immediately upon sighting a bear.

In the event of a beat sighting, notify the police at 911 or 693-1700.

Good thinking. Wait for a bear to attack a person, then call 911. Because we wouldn't want them to feel oppressed or take away any of their rights. Nothing in this article suggests that law enforcement would seek to "obliterate" the bears - but if you seriously think their existence in the community is not news, worthy of reporting so people know, say, not to leave their dogs outside, you're living on another planet.

By the way, on Monday night I saw three deer on the same Water Wheel site, but they were standing at he edge of the property looking as if they were about to jump onto Saw Mill River Road. I wonder if they saw the bear.

Articles like these stir up fear. Any person with common sense would know not to go make friends with a bear, keep your distance, etc. I mean, let's give people credit for having a few brain cells at least, despite evidence to the contrary. There is no way around it---writing an article about black bears in Westchester in this particular tone stirs up fear---nothing else. How about an article with another tone, such as "Wow, can you believe we actually have an ecosystem that can sustain anything other than CVS's and McMansions? How miraculous!" Any wild animal that manages to exist in this suburban wasteland is deserving of our respect, not fear. The Voice's last article about "geese taking over the world" is another case in point.

And don't be naive. When a police report is made about a "sighting" the animal's life is in danger, not likely the person's. People are far, far more threatening to animals than they are to us. A friend of mine told me that he once saw a cop pursuing a coyote that was running into the woods. The animal was running AWAY from people and was still being pursued. He took out his cell phone and was ready to film in case the officer shot the animal---which very well may have happened had someone not been there to advocate for the creature.

Bears, coyotes, and other wildlife are essential. Coyotes keep rodent populations under control, and guess what, the mice that coyotes eat are the main carriers of Lyme disease. Bears also have an essential function. What we should fear is their absence, not their presence.

Yes, I agree of course that wildlife are essential. I am just not sure they are essential in urbanized areas, for the safety of people and domestic animals. Bears in your backyard - if you don't live on a multi-acre estate - are not a good thing. And just so you know, I am horrified when New Jersey has its regular "Bear bag" - I don't advocate people going out and shooting bears! But a news operation should report on their presence in our community.

I think they are essential---even predators. Urbanized areas are still ecosystems. People can live around wildlife safely. It just takes education and common sense. We greatly overestimate the danger that wildlife poses. We have become very fearful. People freak out if they see goose poop and think they are going to get sick. People panic if they see a coyote and assume packs of coyotes are going to harm them. None of this is true. Does that mean that there aren't instances of wildlife/human conflict or danger? No. But every single thing we do has risk. We drive cars which is a leading cause of death and we assume that risk because we derive benefit--and so on with our modern life. I would argue that we should assume the miniscule risk of coexisting with nature because the downside is that our planet cannot survive with humans alone.

The village and the police are asking that folks just use caution in these instances. I'm sure it is not meant to say that enjoying animals in their habitat is an "emergency". But people are no match for black bears, coyotes and even white tail deer in a one-on-one.

Thanks for the comments as always, we like the input. I think I'll take a day off from my wasteful existence next week and take my grand kids to the Bronx Zoo where they can see NATURE. But I would prefer they let all the animals run free -- and we humans can take our chances. Even flies with beaks and critical opinions deserve that respect.

In the event of a bear sighting notify 911? Seriously? You all do know that humans are not the only species on the planet, right? Even though we are doing our best to obliterate every other life form, bears, coyotes, raccoons etc. do have a right to exist without law enforcement being notified. Can you imagine response to an actual crime or health emergency being delayed because someone felt the need to report a wildlife sighting?